'Pro-Yoon' Kim Jeong-jae: "Na Kyung-won Should Focus on Meaningful Work... Yoo Seung-min Is an 'Lee Jun-seok Avatar'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jeong-jae, a member of the ruling party and considered a leading pro-Yoon (친윤) faction lawmaker of the People Power Party, urged Na Kyung-won, Vice Chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee and Climate Ambassador, not to run for the party leadership election, saying, "I hope she focuses more on meaningful work as a politician."

On the 6th, Kim said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "She must be deliberating carefully, but I believe politics should be serious and viewed from a long-term perspective."

Kim Jeong-jae, a member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

It has been pointed out that stepping down from two major roles in the Yoon administration?the Vice Chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee and Climate Ambassador?after only three months to run for the party leadership election is neither serious nor based on a long-term perspective.

He said, "(Running) is her choice, and whichever she chooses is fine, but the work she is currently doing is already very meaningful," adding, "It is regrettable to quit quickly without producing any results."

He also pointed out that such an act places a burden on President Yoon, who has the authority to appoint her. Kim said, "Talks about the party leadership election started even three months ago," and added, "But accepting this position clearly signals to everyone, including the President, that she will not run in the leadership election."

He continued, "Usually, when we offer such a position, if someone says they will run in the leadership election, we typically do not give them the position," and "Secondly, asking the President for his opinion places a huge burden on him, so such discussions should be avoided."

Vice Chairperson Na hinted at communication with the President regarding her candidacy during an appearance on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the 3rd, saying, "Since the President entrusted me with population issues, I think we need to have sufficient discussions about this matter (candidacy)." However, this was also pointed out as a move that burdens the President.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a leading figure of the anti-Yoon (비윤) faction, Kim said, "It is not easy for him to run, and I think he is just making noise," adding, "He probably has trauma from losing the primary to first-term lawmaker Kim Eun-hye."

Former lawmaker Yoo appealed for support within the party, claiming he is the party leader candidate most feared by the opposition Democratic Party. In response, Kim said, "The Democratic Party dislikes him the most? Why would they dislike him? As far as I know, many Democratic Party members actually support him," and directed at Yoo, "he seems like an avatar of Representative Lee Jun-seok."